Gone with the Rain Episode 20 Recap
> Gone with the Rain Recap
Mo Xi conveyed Mrs. Wan's concern about their safety at the academy and her suggestion for them to move into the Wan's Mansion. Fengyao was initially hesitant, stating it was improper to move in before the marriage ceremony and that the mansion was too far from the academy for her daily commute.
Mo Xi countered that Mrs. Wan considered it a guest house, making it acceptable by social norms, and that the Wan family had offered a horse carriage for transportation. Mo Xi then revealed her own strong dissatisfaction with their current living conditions, describing the academy as dilapidated. She complained about her chilblains returning, the bland, insufficient food, and the inconvenience of bathing, all of which had made her miserable.
Fengyao, realizing Mo Xi had been suffering in silence, felt deeply apologetic and blamed herself for being oblivious. Later, Mo Xi found Fengyao distressed and crying. Fengyao admitted her reluctance to move was driven by a desire to uphold the Bai family's honor and avoid being looked down upon by the Wan family, believing that their family spirit persevered as long as they maintained their dignity.
Mo Xi, understanding Fengyao's gentle but unyielding nature, offered to decline the Wan family's invitation. However, Fengyao, having reflected on her priorities, declared she had changed her mind. She realized that people's well-being was paramount, and her family's pride was ridiculous if it meant letting Mo Xi suffer. She ultimately agreed that they would move into the Wan's Mansion the following day, emphasizing their need to rely on each other.
During this conversation, Mo Xi cryptically asked Fengyao if she would forgive her if she ever betrayed her, before dismissing the thought due to the cold. Meanwhile, Shen Shumo learned that Fengyao was engaged to Wan Jiagui, who had returned from war safely and was now in Qingzhou, planning a grand ceremony to marry her. Shen Shumo considered Fengyao very lucky. As Mo Xi packed her belongings, she carefully wrapped a cherished jade lantern.
Shen Shumo, observing this, explained to Wan Jiagui, who had arrived to pick them up, that Mo Xi had taken great care of the lantern on her journey and wouldn't even pawn it when she was starving. After sending the sisters off, Shen Shumo entered the headmistress's quiet room, put on the principal's attire, and resolved to carry on Sun Jingyun's legacy.
She instructed a subordinate to erase the words on the wall, stating that "the best gift to the deceased is moving on," and declared her intention to be the best principal ever. Upon their arrival at Wan's Mansion, Mrs. Wan encouraged Wan Jiagui to take Fengyao and Mo Xi shopping for new clothes and show them around the flourishing city of Qingzhou, making sure to buy things for both Fengyao and Mo Xi.
As servants settled them into their new rooms, Mo Xi expressed her hesitation about joining Fengyao and Wan Jiagui on their outing, stating she didn't want to feel like a "third wheel" while they spent time together. Fengyao mistakenly interpreted Mo Xi's moodiness as jealousy that she would soon marry Wan Jiagui and neglect her.
Fengyao reassured Mo Xi that they would never abandon each other and that she had already arranged for Mo Xi to live with them in the Wan's Mansion after her marriage. Despite Mo Xi's continued concerns about awkwardness with Wan Jiagui, Fengyao persuaded her to go out. On the street, Fengyao decided to visit a crowded bookstore and suggested that Wan Jiagui take Mo Xi to the boutique instead, also asking Mo Xi to buy fabric for her.
Fengyao explicitly asked Wan Jiagui to take good care of Mo Xi. At the boutique, Mo Xi, still feeling like "extra weight," asked Wan Jiagui if the robes they were buying were for her or for his wife. Wan Jiagui quickly reassured her, saying the robes were for her and Fengyao was not his priority.
Mo Xi confessed her frustration and acknowledged that the current situation was partly due to her own lie, admitting she was being unreasonable but needed to vent. Wan Jiagui affectionately called her "cute as a little steamed bun." Mo Xi then asserted that she could give anything to Fengyao, but not him, and Wan Jiagui affirmed that he knew who she loved.
As Mo Xi and Wan Jiagui were out, Wu Yin saw them together and proceeded with his plan to assassinate Wan Jiagui. During the attack, Fengyao bravely shielded Wan Jiagui, taking an arrow herself. Wan Jiagui and Mo Xi rushed her back to the mansion for treatment. A physician assured them Fengyao was fine but needed rest and herbs. Mrs. Wan was immensely grateful to Fengyao, calling her their family's savior, and insisted Fengyao call her "Mother-in-law."
She then presented Fengyao with a family heirloom bracelet traditionally given to the eldest daughter-in-law, declaring Fengyao the Wan family's only recognized daughter-in-law. This public display of acceptance and favor left Mo Xi deeply disappointed. Wan Jiagui tried to intervene, suggesting Fengyao needed rest, but his mother insisted. Later, Mo Xi confessed to Wan Jiagui that she would have also shielded him, before he warned her to be careful as she was also being targeted.
Wan Jiagui, realizing the arranged marriage was becoming increasingly complicated, began drafting a letter to General Chu to revoke his engagement with Fengyao. However, an urgent military report arrived, indicating that Weizhou, Yaozhou, and Xiuzhou were poised to invade Qingzhou, with Chen Wende rallying his forces. Wan Jiagui believed the recent assassination attempt might be connected to these external threats.
He decided to visit the Qingzhou Provincial Governor to request imperial backup and ordered his men to maintain high alert, man all stations, and dispatch scouts to monitor Chen Wende's movements. Meanwhile, Wu Yin met with one of his subordinates, who questioned Wu Yin's previous attempt on Wan Jiagui's life, fearing it jeopardized the marquis's position. Wu Yin dismissed the concerns, confident that the marquis in Jingzhou was too far to intervene.
When the Provincial Governor arrived to discuss Wan Jiagui's request for backup, Wu Yin laid out his strategy: he instructed the Governor to notify the imperial court but to ensure the reinforcements remained outside Qingzhou City, awaiting his orders. Wu Yin explained his plan to allow Chen Wende to enter Qingzhou to secure the iron mine, as only Chen Wende knew its location.
Once Chen Wende lowered his guard, the imperial army would strike, reclaiming Qingzhou, obtaining the mine map, and eliminating the traitor. Wu Yin acknowledged that Wan Jiagui's life might be sacrificed, stating that "sacrifices are necessary" and that Wan Jiagui was insignificant compared to the fate of the nation. Despite this ruthless plan, Wu Yin secretly ordered two subordinates to protect Mo Xi during the war, ensuring her safety.
Mo Xi, feeling restless, went out alone to the boutique for tailoring. There, she unexpectedly encountered Chen Wende. She confronted him, asking why he was in Qingzhou. Chen Wende explained that treacherous provincial governors were eyeing the iron ore mine, and he couldn't allow it to fall into rebel hands. When Mo Xi accused his men of trying to assassinate Wan Jiagui, Chen Wende appeared genuinely surprised, denying involvement.
Mo Xi fiercely warned him that she would make him "hell" if he harmed Wan Jiagui. Chen Wende teased her protectiveness but then gravely warned her not to wander around and to stay away from Wan Jiagui, as Qingzhou's defender was a target and she would be in danger near him. Later, Wan Jiagui found Mo Xi out alone and reiterated the impending war, a confidential matter he warned her not to disclose to avoid panic.
He, along with his parents and Fengyao, discussed the escalating tensions. Wan Jiagui proposed sending his parents back to Jingzhou for their safety. However, Mrs. Wan vehemently refused, still traumatized by Wan Jiagui's previous near-death experience. She feared for his life in another war and desperately wanted him to secure the family lineage. She demanded that Wan Jiagui marry Fengyao that very day.
Wan Jiagui protested the hurried marriage, but Mrs. Wan, driven by fear and desperation, threatened to drink poison if he refused, forcing him to a difficult decision. Concurrently, Chen Wende's elite soldiers successfully infiltrated Qingzhou City. He observed a workshop, envisioning it as a place to forge weapons after conquering the city and mining its ore. He believed Qingzhou's defenses were a facade and that taking the city from its "rookie" defender would be easy.
His primary concern was to protect innocent civilians and minimize casualties among his own soldiers. He also reiterated to his men that Mo Xi, despite being with the Wans, was innocent and should not be harmed during the invasion.
